South Jersey Times hits the streets as newspaper's employees greet customers

View full sizeSouth Jersey Times photoSouth Jersey Times mascot "Newshound" is joining employees at launch rallies every day this week.

We've been telling readers about the launch of South Jersey Times the last two months and now we're celebrating this week's launch in five local communities. Every day this week employees of the newspaper are planning to be out and about distributing branded items and subscription offers.

Employees Marie Vito, Tina Rutledge and John Petracci joined "Newshound," the newspaper mascot, at Heritage's in Clayton Monday morning.

Change is not easy for some people and employees in the newspaper's customer service heard from some readers this morning. A few readers want to be sure they will still be getting local news. I spoke to as many readers as I could today and told them they can expect the same unique local content in north and south editions of South Jersey Times as they did in News of Cumberland County, Today's Sunbeam and Gloucester County Times.

I also met some readers at Heritage's in Clayton. One man told me November's special at Heritage's -- buy a South Jersey Times and get a free cup of coffee between 6-9 a.m. -- is "the best deal in town."

Here are some frequently asked questions.

Q: Why did you do this?

To produce one newspaper that draws from the resources of all three. In many cases, readers will be getting more news and advertising. One regional newspaper has greater drawing power while maintaining our core strength -- local news.

Q: Will I still get all of my local news?

Yes. Our South edition includes News of Cumberland County and Today's Sunbeam articles and photos and North includes the same from Gloucester County Times.

Q: What about the towns I care about?

We're still covering the same communities.Q: Will I get local store inserts?

Yes. Our advertising sales representatives plan to attract more advertisers, creating greater value for the two zoned editions of South Jersey Times.